Are you feeling May Tired Teacher Vibes and it’s only January? I’m right there with you–with a solution. Actually, I have two solutions in the form of independent reading activities, aka creative book report ideas that lower your workload but still meet standards.
This blog post will
- Explain why independent reading is important .
- Offer some instruction on how to manage independent reading assignments.
- Provide you with two downloadable instructional slide decks to use immediately in your classroom.
NOTE: If you are a super tired super teacher and just want to get to the good stuff, you can click here to download the Independent Reading Activities Check-in and Book Report Choice Board slides now. Save this blog post to your bookmarks to review all the details after you’ve had a nap. Or a snow day.
The Importance of Independent Reading
To convince you of the importance of assigning independent reading, I could simply quote the NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) Positions Statement on Independent Reading and leave it at that. They’ve said it pretty well.
Independent reading leads to an increased volume of reading. The more one reads, the better one reads. The more one reads, the more knowledge of words and language one acquires. The more one reads, the more fluent one becomes as a reader. The more one reads, the easier it becomes to sustain the mental effort necessary to comprehend complex texts. The more one reads, the more one learns about the people and happenings of our world. This increased volume of reading is essential (Allington, 2014).
However, I’ll weigh in with my own two cents as to why independent reading rocks. In my teacher experience, I’ve noticed that Independent reading builds confidence and curiosity which boosts the desire and diligence to work on comprehension. Independent reading is a low stakes situation. It allows readers to dive into oceans they are already curious about: sports, animals, video games, romance, mystery, or space, for example. Both low stakes learning and prior knowledge promote comprehension which creates confidence.
Low stakes independent reading experiences dictate low stakes independent reading assessments such as creative book reports and activities. The independent reading activities offered in the Keeping Classics downloadable Book Report Choice Board and Independent Reading Check-ins slide decks allow readers to share their excitement in ways that still meet standards but don’t stress students out like a formal literary analysis essay or written book report can. (Save those for class reading.) Students are both willing and eager to share their newly found knowledge.
Anytime learning happens without a tired teacher trying to lead that horse to water and make it drink, it’s a good day.
Management of Independent Reading
As fervently as parents insist that their sweet little darlings would never cheat, never try to fake their way through a book report, a seasoned teacher knows the truth. I’ve been in the classroom long enough that I no longer chase my tail nor theirs trying to force students not to cheat. However, I can assign independent reading activities that are easier to complete if Susie and Carlos actually read the book. If they still choose to fake it until they make it, they’ll be choosing the harder path. Sometimes that choice offers its own kind of learning experience.
Independent Reading Check-Ins
One solution to managing independent reading is to find a way to make quick work of grading. Do this by assigning periodical check-ins rather than one big project due at the end of reading time. These quick independent reading check-ins are easy to grade because you are looking for one or two specific elements. The Keeping Classics Independent Reading Check-ins are designed to be completed on Google Slides. They can also be completed on a document or by hand. The important thing is to have students turn them in right away.
Here’s how this works:
- Plan about 10-15 minutes (depending on your class needs) once a week or every few days for students to complete an in-class check-in.
- Project the slide revealing the check-in for the day.
- Talk through some ideas to get their brains wrapped around the concept.
- Set a timer.
- Students turn in what they have completed within the allotted time.
Here are a few tips for successful management of this independent reading activity:
- Do not reveal ahead of time the nature of the check-in. This approach sheds light on who isn’t actually reading. Those students won’t have enough information to effectively complete the task but will be encouraged to read in order to be prepared for the next check-in.
- For low reading or special education classes, you can use pre-printed graphic organizers, sentence stems, or templates to help facilitate completion of on-demand writing.
When you download the Keeping Classics Independent Reading Check-ins slide deck, you’ll be prompted to make your own copy. Feel free to use it or tweak it to fit your own needs. Notice that the check-in tasks address the students’ progress through their books. For example, check-in one covers exposition. Check-in two covers rising action, and so on. You’ll be able to assess their understanding of the book and the elements of a plot line. AND you’ll be able to do it in quick grading bursts rather than the hours sometimes spent on assessing end-of-reading projects.
Independent Reading Book Report Choice Boards
A second management secret for independent reading is to allow student choice. We all know the magic that happens with student choice. Creativity and confidence build along with excitement for sharing.
The options offered in the Keeping Classics Independent Reading Book Report Choice Boards are designed to be turned in at the end of reading; however, the check-in approach works here, too. Plan about ten minutes every few days for students to plan out or assemble their choice board book reports. Again, you will be able to discern who doesn’t have enough knowledge of their book to work on the task. Either they aren’t reading on their own, or they are struggling with comprehension, and you have an opportunity to intervene before it’s too late.
Here are the elements Keeping Classics Independent Reading Book Report Choice Board:
- Students have four choices for how to present their reports.
- It’s in the bag!
- Hollywood is calling!
- It’s graphic!
- Time to scrap!
- For ease of grading, each choice covers the same elements.
- Plot
- Characterization
- Theme
- Style
There is a presentation element to each choice, and that’s another management solution.
I know. You’re cringing right now thinking of the two or three days of dull presentations. You’re considering how to get the listening students to pay attention to the presenting students. Popcorn? Bribery points? Begging? You’re also dreading the number of student and parent emails explaining why sweet little Sarah shouldn’t have to be forced to speak in front of class because it will result in an existential meltdown of epic proportions.
Don’t worry. I’ve got you covered. The solution is to present in small groups rather than in front of the class. The key to this solution is to provide a listener guide that each listening student must fill out for completion (bribery?) points.
Here’s the beauty of these independent reading book reports–it fosters engagement. Because of student choice, most are eager to share their creativity. They are thrilled to present in small groups. You can oversee the small groups, but there is really no need to hear every single presentation in its entirety. The real work happens in the creation of the book report, and that’s what you will grade. In my experience, there are always a fair number of students who turn this work in early. Use a rubric to grade them as they come in for greater efficiency.
If you want to use these presentations to assess ELA speaking and listening standards, another management tip is to use Flip (formerly FlipGrid). Students can record their presentations and then view each presentation and even react to or comment on them. Then you can watch, grade, and offer feedback on the videos as your time allows.
Today’s teachers are tired and rightly so. More and more demands seem to be placed on our shoulders and on our teaching time. We are seeing reading levels decrease across the country. Now, more than ever, independent reading is a must. Even Tired Teachers need to find ways to encourage and manage independent reading. Using independent reading check-ins and choice boards can help.
I’m excited to see how you use these tools and tips in your classroom. Please reach out with your results and/or questions.
